Shaping presses

ABSTRACT

A press device for shaping or flattening a long panel by giving it, at substantially every point, a predetermined curvature either transverse or longitudinal, or both at once, or in a single direction at an angle in relation to the length of the panel. The press device has a frame press carrying a moveable punch and the frame spans a table. Above the table extending on either side of the frame press is an overhead beam supported at its extremities by two portal members, the beam carries a pair of carriages provided with depending brackets able to grip the opposed ends of the long panel as it is shaped or flattened by the punch of the said frame press. Both the punch and the table under the frame press may be provided with displaceable rails. The displacements inter alia of the panel and the punch are accurately controlled and displayed on a display board. The press is also provided with a long table beneath and in line with the said overhead beam, the table being provided with moveable rollers and gauge support means for checking the shape of the panel by metrology.

United States Patent 191 Sentourens 1 1 SHAPING PRESSES [75] Inventor:Michel Maurice Gerard Sentourens,

Saint-Nazaire, France [73] Assignee: Societe Nationale IndustrielleAerospatiale, Paris, France [22] Filed: June 1, 1973 [21] Appl. No.:365,868

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 8, 1972 France 72.20607 [52]U.S. C1. 72/305; 72/31; 72/307 [51] Int. Cl 321d 11/04 [58] Field ofSearch 72/32, 31, 33, 34, 296, 72/297, 301, 302, 305, 309, 311, 456,379, 72/307, 389

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,221,539 11/1940 Gehert72/311 3,082,809 3/1963 Petsch 72/33 3,257,832 6/1966 Harvey 72/2973,344,634 10/1967 Ellenburg 72/34 3,550,420 12/1970 Swanson 72/3053,568,490 3/1971 Bohmann 72/302 3,677,057 7/1972 MacKenzie 72/3053,712,105 1/1973 Harris 72/421 3,729,969 5/1973 Gibson 72/379 FORElGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,198,312 8/1965 Germany 72/302 July 1, 1975Primary Examiner-C. W. Lanham Assistant Examiner-M. .1. Keenan Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Karl W. Flocks 5 7 ABSTRACT A press device for shaping orflattening a long panel by giving it, at substantially every point, apredetermined curvature either transverse or longitudinal, or both atonce, or in a single direction at an angle in relation to the length ofthe panel. The press device has a frame press carrying a moveable punchand the frame spans a table. Above the table extending on either side ofthe frame press is an overhead beam supported at its extremities by twoportal members, the beam carries a pair of carriages provided withdepending brackets able to grip the opposed ends of the long panel as itis shaped or flattened by the punch of the said frame press. Both thepunch and the table under the frame press may be provided withdisplaceable rails. The displacements inter alia of the panel and thepunch are accurately controlled and displayed on a display board. Thepress is also provided with a long table beneath and in line with thesaid overhead beam, the table being provided with moveable rollers andgauge support means for checking the shape of the panel by metrology.

11 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures SHEET SHEET SHEET llllllllllillllallllelllwhm QQU g SHAPING PRESSES This invention relates to a press for shapingor flattening very long panels by giving them at substantially everypoint a predetermined curvature, either transverse or longitudinal. orboth at once, or in a single direction at an angle in relation to thelength of the panel.

A press of the kind specified also allows the straightening i.e..flattening of panels having any shape due inter alia to manufacturingfaults or to internal stresses in the material of which they are made.

The panels to be shaped may be of aerodynamic or hydrodynamic structuresor panels of constructions which have to have predetermined curvaturesfor utility or architectural purposes.

The invention applies more particularly to so-called integral panels 4i.e.. panels cut with their various reliefs. inter alia theirreinforcing ribs, in thick. originally flat metal plates.

After machining. the shaped panels with one face remaining smooth can beused inter alia for making the cellules and aerofoils of transportaircraft.

At present panels of the kind specified are shaped using presses.sledge-hammers or even boilermakers' hammers, the shape obtained beingchecked by gauges.

The work is difficult. nor is it reproducible i.e.. each panel must betreated independently.

The invention obviates this disadvantage; it enables the operationsnecessary for shaping to be defined during the shaping of a first panel.whereafter such operations can readily be repeated identically duringthe shaping of the subsequent panels in the same series.

Accordingly we provide a press device adapted to shape panels ofelongate construction. comprising a frame press adapted to act locallyon each panel. and panel supports disposed on either side of the frame,characterised in that there is associated with the frame press on eachside a supporting beam for a carriage having a hanging bracket andbearing each of the ends of the panel. the displacements of the twocarriages being conjugate and measured when they are bearing the samepanel.

Preferably. the conjugate displacements of the carriages are controlledby a known numerical control i.e.. the carriages can be automaticallydisplaced to take up a position displayed in advance.

Similar places on each of the identical panels can thus be moved beneaththe frame press. procedure then continuing bit by bit. in a reproduciblemanner. for shaping the panels.

Advantageously. there is disposed beneath each beam at set of rollerstransverse of the beam which facilitate the conveying of panel andprevent friction at the passage of the transverse press frame againstthe panel shaping tools.

On at least one side the rollers can be associated with a table adaptedto bear the gauges for checking the shaping work performed; the rollerscan in that case be retractable in relation to the table and thereforethe gauge. to ensure that the panel is resting on the gauge at the rightmoment.

Small carriages each bearing one panel end support can be displaced atlong brackets hanging from the carriages movable along the beams.

To facilitate handling of the panel. such support can pivot around thehorizontal axis parallel with the panel supporting beam. to enable thepanel to be turned over.

The support can also be resilient and light-weight so as not to imposeon the end of the panel parasitic forces affecting its shaping.

To enable a panel to be completely turned over. an auxiliary liftingdevice having a panel end rotating support can be disposed on the endnearest the frame press of a gauge-carrying table, to co-operate. inorder to turn a panel over completely, with the mobile supportassociated with the chariot having a hanging bracket disposed on thesame side of the press.

in known manner the frame press comprises a punch which can move in theframe transversely of the panel to be shaped.

According to one feature of the invention such displacement can bemeasured and is preferably also performed by a numerical control; thisallows, in each transverse zone of a panel determined longitudinally bythe location of the carriages with hanging brackets containing thepanel. the punch tool to act exactly at the required place. due to theselection of location in such zone.

A shaping matrix and punch of any kind. inter alia a cylindrical punchand matrix. can be used for shaping the panels.

According to one feature of the invention the shaping tools are curvedparallel rails of adjustable distance borne both by the punch and thetable of the press. Two rails can be disposed on one side of the paneland a single rail. disposed between the two first-mentioned ones. on theother side.

Use can also be made on each side of the panel of two rails distributedsymmetrically in relation to the median plane of the gap between the tworails on the same side of the panel.

Preferably, the rails having a cylindrical surface; however. theircurved surfaces can be inwardly curved. In an advantageous embodiment.the tool-carrier of the punch and the press table have rectilinearsectional members whose distance can be adjusted and into which therails fit, being retained by locking. for instance, by sprung catches.

By using rails of the kind specified and arranging them in a suitablemanner the panel can be bent in a direction longitudinal or transverse,or even inclined in relation to the panel.

In another feature of the invention. to obtain a reproducible shapingeffect the vertical displacement of the punch is measured and reproducedwith extreme precision, higher, for instance. than one-tenth of amillimetre. Both resilient and plastic deformation cambers can thereforebe obtained which are identical in the successive portions of the panel.

Experience has shown that. independently of the force required from thepress. an identical total deformation camber is distributed in the samefashion in resilient camber and permanent camber.

Finally. at a point on the panel defined by its abscissa. in thedirection of the length of the panel. and its ordinate. in the directionof the width of the panel, it is possible to impose a predetermineddeformation whose characteristics are defined essentially by the courseof the press punch. independently of the force required from the press.

Moreover. the reproducible selection of the arrangement of the shapingrails for action at a predetermined place on the panel enables thecurvature given to the panel at that place to be varied if requiredusing the same rails.

The accompanying drawings show clearly by way of example only how theinvention can be put into effect.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembly of a device according tothe invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the device;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation, taken in the direction of the arrow III ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an end elevation of the frame press of the device.

FIG. 5 shows partly in section the punch mechanism of the frame press;

FIG. 6 is a scrap section taken on the line VI VI of FIG. 5'.

FIG. 6a is a detail of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a part-elevation and a part-section of the table of the framepress;

FIG. 8 is a perspective plan view of the table showing its operation andthe position of the shaping rails.

FIG. 9 is a cross-section of a shaping rail;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the same table adapted to receive inclinedshaping rails;

FIG. 11 and 12 are sections taken on the lines XI XI and XII XII of FIG.10 respectively;

FIG. I3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the kinematic chainsensuring the displacement of the rails and the punch-carrying carriageunder the press frame;

FIG. 14 is an axially sectioned view of one of the two tables disposedon either side of the press frame;

FIG. 15 is a section taken along the line XV XV in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a side elevation, partly cut-away. of a carriage with hangingbrackets;

FIG. 17 is a section, taken on the line XVII XVII, in FIG. 16 of asupporting beam for a hanging bracket and a front view of such brackettaken on the line XVII XVII in the same FIG. 16, and

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the kinematic chains fordisplacing the two hanging brackets.

Referring to FIGS. I 3, the device has at its centre a press frame Ahaving a punch carrying carriage B which can move in the opening in theframe. On either side of the press and bearing against the top of theframe and perpendicular therewith are disposed horizontal beams Csupported by portals D at their ends opposite from the press.

Movable along each of the beams is a carriage 97 (FIG. 17) with hangingbrackets E E,.. a carriage F bearing a gripping member G for one end ofthe panel to be shaped being movable along each of the beams.

In line with each of the beams there rests on the ground a table I-Ihaving rollers I whose supports can move in the vertical direction, andbrackets .l on which gauges K for checking the shaping of the panels canbe disposed.

Attached to each end of the table turned towards the press is a liftingdevice L. for instance a jack, comprising at its end a gripping member Madapted to be combined with the member G disposed on the same side toenable a panel to be turned over in the way described hereinafter.

The arrangement also has a display board N which can display thenumerical data determining the position of each of the active members ofthe arrangement and at the same time recording the actual positions ofthe members. so that the displacement thereof is in known mannerautomatic and stopped when the values displayed coincide with the actualvalues.

The framepress (FIG. 4) is formed by two uprights I, a caisson-shapedtop 2 and a table 3. A carriage 4 of the punch carrying carriage B rollson solid rails 5 (FIGS. 5 and 6) fonning the lower part of the top, viarollers 6, and is centred on such rails by lateral rollers 7. Lastly,the carriage 4 bears against the rails with an increasing force when thepress is operating.

When the carriage 4 has reached the required position it is immobilizedand pressed against the lower face of the rails 5 by tilting bolt S 8each impelled by the resilient force of a stack of washers 9 (cf. FIG.6a each stack bearing againt a stirrup I0 unitary with a lateral edge ofthe carriage 4. To release the carriage 4, each bolt 8 is lifted by arod II via the action of an hydraulic jack 12.

The punch press can move vertically in relation to the carriage 4 as aresult of a jack 13 operating on the centre of supporting plate 14 ofthe punch tools. The supporting plate 14 is prevented from rotating byfour pins 15 vertically engaging in a bell-shaped member 16 forming thelower part of the carriage 4.

The tool-carrier 17 is attached to the circular plate 14 by a ring nut18. In its lower portion the tool-carrier 17 has at least one U-shapedsectional member 19 disposed in its median plane. and also preferably apair of sectional members 20 (shown in chain-dotted lines in FIG. 4)disposed symmetrically in relation to the central sectional member.

To enable the sectional members I9, 20 to be oriented perpendicularly tothe frame, as shown in FIG. 4 or parallel therewith, as shown in FIG. 5,the supporting plate 14 has an indexing finger 21 which can engage intwo holes disposed in the base 22 of the tool-carrier one from theother. The finger 22 can also be completely retracted to enable thesectional members 19 or 20 to be orientated obliquely in relation to theframe so as to co-operate with rails also disposed obliquely on thetable 3, as shown in FIG. I0.

To determine the orientation the base 22 can bear, an index 22aco-operates with a graduated angle unit borne by a sector 16a attachedto the lower portion of the bell-shaped member 16.

The punch carrying carriage B bearing the tools forming the punchisdisplaced as a whole (FIGS. 4 and 5) along the rails 5 by the chain 23attached to the said carriage by its two ends. the chain 23 being drivenby a motor 24 via an intermediate transmission 25 (FIG. 13). The saidintermediate transmissions illustrated in FIGS. 13 or I8 utilise complexpinion means and are required to obtain predetermined step-down ratioswith pinions having a standardized number of teeth.

The motor 24 also drives. via intermediate transmission 26, the chains27 in a displacement which at any moment is one-half that of the chain23. The chains 27 are attached by their two ends to frames 28 acting assupports for pulleys 29 on which the supply tubes 30 and 31 for the jack13 displacing the punch and jacks I2 controlling the brakes respectivelyare wound.

The ends of the tubes can therefore be attached on the one hand to thetop 2 and on the other to plates 32 unitary with the punch carriage B.the tubes 30, 31 remaining constantly tensioned.

The vertical displacement of the tool carrier 17 (FIG. 5) is measured bya senser 33 which transmits such information to a coding device 34 whoseresult is displayed on the board N opposite the required value for thedisplacement punch. The measuring and coding device (known per se) isone of the precise type adapted, for instance, to evaluate displacementsto about one hundreth of a millimetre.

Similarly, the displacement of the carriage B along the frame A isevaluated by a coder 36 (cf. FIG. 13) which is advantageously of therotary type and can be disposed in front of the output shaft of thedrive motor 24 to evaluate the turns and fractions of a turn thereof, soas to indicate at any moment the location of the punch in the carriage Band enable a precise predetermined position to be given thereto.

The U-shaped sectional members 19 and 20 (FIG. 4) of the punch areadapted to receive, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 9 for a U-shapedsectional member 37 adapted to be borne by the table 3, detachable rails38 whose outer surface is curved and which are adapted locally to shapethe panel treated in the press.

To shape lightweight alloy panels, the rails 38 can be made ofreinforced plastics, for instance, polyester or phenoplastic resinreinforced with cotton fabrics or glass fibres.

The various rails are retained in the U-shaped sectional members 37 bydetent balls 39 urged by a spring 40, the balls entering lateraldrillings in such sectional members.

To actuate the rail 38 mounted in the sectional member 19 there isprovided as illustrated in FIG. 8, two sectional members 37 having holesat their ends which engage with dowels 41 integral with nuts 42. The twonuts 42 disposed towards the same upright of the press have a right-handand left-hand threading respectively, so that the two screws 43, 44 ofcontrary pitch connected by the intermediate helical pinion 45 can bringthe sectional members 37 towards or away from one another when the twoscrews 43, 44 are driven by the rotation of the helical pinion 45.

The rotation of the two pinions 45 (FIGS. 7 and 12) is obtained by therotation of one or the other of the handwheels 46, 47 unitary with thesame shaft 48 extending through the table 3 and bearing two helicalpinions 49 which mate and co-operating with the two helical pinionsrespectively.

When the sectional members 19, or 20 are placed as shown in FIG. 4 andequipped with rails 38, they can co-operate with rails 52 mounted insectional members 50, 51. Each of the ends of the sectional member isconnected to the two ends of an identical chain 53 which can be drivenby a motor 55 via a transmission 54. Similarly, each of the ends of thesectional member 51 is connected to the two ends of a chain 56 which canbe driven by a motor 58 via a transmission 57.

The motor 24, for driving the punch in its carriage and for driving therails 52 in the table 3 the motors 55, 58 are associated with rotarytype coders 59, 60 respectively. The coders enable the positions (FIG.13) Y, of the guide bar 50 and Y, of the guide bar 51 to be determinedin relation to a reference plane 0, x, z; and such positions can bedisplayed on the display board N.

The motor 24 and the coder 36 can be controlled automatically to give tothe punch carrying carriage B the ordinate y where y y, y,,j2 thereby toensure that sectional member 19 is exactly in the middle between thesectional members 50 and 51, (FIG. l3 FIG. 2) or to force the sectionalmember 6 20 to be symmetrical in relation to the sectional members 50,51.

Another pair of rail-carrying sectional members 61, 62 (FIG. 10) can ifnecessary be used in the plane of the table 3 but an inclination to aline perpendicular to the line of the beams C, when the sectionalmembers 19, or 2.0 have already been given such oblique orientation inthe way already explained.

To obtain this result, a plate 63 is placed on each of the pairs ofdowels 41 disposed towards the same upright of the frame. The plates 63are mounted head-totail and each comprise spigott holes engaging withtwo of the dowels 41 and an elongated slot 64 engaging with the othertwo dowels 41. Each of the plates 63 is connected (FIG. 11) to aU-shaped sectional member 65 having a screw with two opposite handedscrewthread 66, 67, the screw is adapted to rotate in a median bearing68 and being operable by means of a thumbscrew 69. Engaging with thescrewthreads 66, 67 are nuts 70, 7] whose dowels 72 engage in elongatedholes 73 in the sectional members 61, 62.

Clearly (FIG. 8), the operation of one of the handwheels 46, or 47determines the oblique position of the sectional members 61, 62 andtheir distance apart can be adjusted by operating the thumbscrew 69.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show in detail the embodiment of each of the tables Hdisposed on either side of the press frame A of FIG. 1.

The rollers 1 are mounted in U-shaped supports 74 each of which is borneby vertical uprights 75, 75a prevented from turning by small columns 76.The base of each of the uprights, terminating in abutment 77, bearsagainst the end of the substantially horizontal arm of a bellcrank angleplate 78, 78a pivoting around a pivot 79, 79a. The other end of each ofthe angle plates 78, 78a is articulated via a pivot 80 80a, to a chainof connecting rods 81 extending over the whole length of the table H.The upright 75a, closest to the frame press A is telescopic andcomprises a shock absorbing spring 82. This upright 75a is shown in theactive position and its roller 1, is seen to be somewhat higher than theothers, so that the rollers l which it bears act as shock absorbers forthe panel as it enters or leaves the press.

The chain of connecting rods 81 can be actuated by a jack having apiston 83, and rod 83,, shown generally at 83 oscillating around a pivot830 whose clevis 84, terminating the piston rod, is articulated to thecentre of the knee-joint formed by the two opposite ends of crank-arms85, 86. The crank-arm 86 is pivotted at point 87 which is carried by apartition 88 forming part of the table H. The other end of the crank-armis directly connected to the substantially vertical arm of the bellcrank angle plate 78a.

In the position illustrated, the thrust of the piston rod 83,, of jack83 has aligned the crank-anns 85, 86 and made the arm of the angle plate178a tilt in the direction for lifting the abutment 77. In the positionillustrated, in which the two crankarms have slightly moved beyondalignment, the rollers l are therefore in the raised position andretaining fixed, except for the first roller I, which due to itsshock-absorbing spring 82, can tolerate certain variations in level.

When the piston rod 83,, of jack 83 is retracted, the crank-arms 85, 86take up the position shown diagrammatically by 85a, 86a, respectively,the angle plates are retracted and the uprights bearing the rollers arelowered. A panel carried by the rollers I, 1, etc. will therefore tendto rest on the upper edge of the gauges K, (see FIG. so that its shapecan be controlled.

The gauges K shown dotted in FIG. 15 rest on the brackets J and areretained in position by locking screws 89.

At the end of each of the roller tables H adjacent the frame press A.the rod L of the jack L terminates in a bush 90 in which a shaft 91 canrotate which terminates in a square end 91a, and carries via a clevis aclamp 92 having a screw 93.

The screw 93 enables one end of the panel to be gripped, and by rotatingthe indexing finger 21 through one half turn by a suitable crank, thepanel can be turned over when it is engaged at its other end by therotary gripping member G of the carriage F of the hanging bracket.

Each of the horizontal beams C (FIG. 17) which enable the hangingbrackets to be displaced is mainly formed by two C-shaped sectionalmembers 94 which have their backs juxtaposed and whose opposed lowerends bear flat rails 95 viaa struts 96.

Carriage 97 supporting a hanging bracket E, comprises rollers 98 restingon rails 95, rollers 99 disposed below such rails and, at the front andrear, pairs of rollers 100 applied against the flat flanks of the rails95.

The two carriages 97a, 97b, supporting the two hanging brackets Edisposed on each side of the frame press A are driven by a single motor101 in the manner shown diagrammatically in FIG. 18.

Similarly to what was described concerning the punch carriage, viatransmission 102 the motor 101 directly drives on one side of the pressa chain 103 which is mounted in one of the beams C and whose two endsare attached to the carriage 97a. Via intermediate transmission 104, thechain 105 is also driven, its ends being unitary with frame 106 actingas a upport for the shaft of pulley 107 bearing channels 108, 109 forsupplying the jack (described hereinafter) mounted in the hangingbracket.

End shaft 110 of the transmission 102 bears a dogtype clutch 111 adaptedto be controlled by the hydraulic jack 112. Thus it is possible whenrequired to drive on the other side of the press frame, by thetransmission 113, a chain 114 which extends along the other beam C andwhose two ends are attached to the carriage 97b bearing the secondhanging bracket.

As on the other side, via transmission 115, the chain 116 is drivenwhich bears fram 117 supporting a pulley 118 for supplying thehydropneumatic apparatuses of the hanging bracket disposed on thecorresponding side.

To use the assembly illustrated in FIG. 18, when a panel P has beenplaced on the rollers I of one of the two tables H,, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the dog-type clutch 111 is first actuated to enable the motor101 to engage the gripping member Gb of the bracket Eb to engage withone end of the panel.

The clutch is then released and the bracket Ea is then displaced on itsown by the motor 101 until its gripping member Ga can engage the otherend of the panel P.

At that moment the clutch is then again activated and, the two bracketsmoving simultaneously in the same direction and at the same speed, thepanel P as a whole is displaced in relation to the frame press A.

As previously. a rotary coder 119 associated with the motor 101 allowsthe determination of the abscissa .r of any point on the panel i.e.. thedetermination at any moment of the abscissa of the point which is in theaxis of the frame press A.

The required abscissa for each point on the panel P where the press isto be used is displayed on the display board N and the panel isdisplaced along the beams C until the actual position of the panel asdetermined by the coder 119 coincides with the abscissa displayed.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show the embodiment of a hanging bracket E, itsdisplacement mechanism, and its accompanying mechanism enablinghydraulic power to be transmitted for the jack associated with suchbracket.

The ends of each of the chains 103 and 114 are attached to an angleplate 120 attached to the carriage 97 (a or b) and such chains, due tothe great length of the beam C, and are supported at places by pairs ofsuperimposed pinions 121, one of which receives the upper run, and theother the lower run of the chain. Since the angle plates 120 pass justabove the lower pinions 121, there is no resulting disturbance to thedisplacement of each carriage 97. Similarly, the chains (116) aresupported in the same conditions by stepped pinions 122.

The intermediate transmissions of the pulleys 104 or are grouped in thehollow ends of the beams C furthest away from the frame press A.

Each hanging bracket E is a trapezoidal caisson 123 having inside it ajack 124 whose rod 125 bears, via a clevis, a pinion 126 over whichthere passes a chain 137 one end of which is attached to a foot 127unitary with the carriage 97. The chain then extends over twointermediate transmission pinions 128 and is attached by its other endto the carriage F for the operation of the latter. The carriage F canmove along two flat rails 129 disposed on the facade of the bracket andborne by supports 130.

So that the carriage F can move along the rails, it comprises on eitherside of the rails pairs of rollers 131, and, for guiding transversely ofthe rails, rollers 132 bearing against the edge of the rails.

The gripping member G is borne by the end of a resilient strip 133attached to the base of the carriage F. At its free end the resilientstrip has a bush 134 parallel with the beam C, and there engages in thebush a shaft 135 to which iss articulated, via a clevis, the press 136forming the active part of the gripping member.

When the two ends of the panel I are attached to the gripping members Gand the panel P is displaced in ac cordance with the axis of theabscissas along the beam C, as the panel is formed with its concavityturned upwards, the carriages F spontaneously tend to be raised. Actionis then taken on the jacks 124 to keep the chains 137 just stressed andprevent abnormal forces in the panels.

When the press has acted at all points on the panel with the forcenecessary to shape it. the panel is placed on the gauges K. When it is afirst shaping operation and the shape of the panel is not perfect, thepanel may have to be returned.

To this end. as already partly explained. the gripping members G of oneof the hanging brackets and the gripping member M associated with thejack L are attached to the same panel which at the moment is completelysituated on one of the sides of the press frame.

To allow the attachment of the gripping members M and G. the jacks L and124 are individually operated to bring such members to the suitablelevel for attachment to the same panel. The two jacks are thensimultaneously actuated to lift the panel above the table. When theheight is adequate, the panel is made to turn around its axis byone-half turn by means of a crank 139, engaging with a square 91a.

During the making if a first panel, data which will enable the followingsimilar panels to be shaped identically can be recorded due to theprecision of the following displacements: of the panel in thelongitudinal direction; of the punch in the transverse direction; of therails borne by the press frame in both the longitudinal and transversedirections; and of the punch itself in the vertical direction.

Moreover, by using rails perpendicular to the general direction of thepanel, the latter can be bent in accordance with its length, while withlongitudinal rails the panel can be bent in accordance with its width.With rails of a predetermined inclination (if necessary evolutive) thepanel can be spiralled and given a helicoidal.

Shaping obtained with three rails, for instance, two on the table H andone on the punch B, has the disadvantage of causing a central roundedfold framed by two flat portions. By using two rails both on the punch Band the press table H the four rails being parallel with one another andsymmetrical in relation to their central plane, a circular bending isobtained (constant bending force from one of the end rails to the other)i.e., a continuous inward curving of the panel surface can be obtainedby exceeding the limit of elasticity.

Successive inward curves, some longitudinal and the other transverse mayenable panels with double curvature to be obtained. Use can also be madeof rails whose surface is inwardly curved in the direction of bending.

The invention applies to the shaping of very long panels intended fornaval or aeronautical construction or for the building of complexarchitectural structures. It is more particularly suited for the shapingof integral panels for supersonic aircraft, such panels being made froma metal plate suitably mechined to remove from it all excess material.

I claim:

1. A press device for stepwise curve shaping panels of elongateconstruction comprising a vertical substantially rectangular pressframe,

punch means displaceable in said frame for acting lcally on the panel,

two beams extending perpendicularly on one side and on the other side ofsaid press frame, respectively, at the level of the higher side of saidframe, each beam being provided with a primary carriage supporting arigid hanging bracket adapted to hear one of the opposed ends of thepanel, displacements of said primary carriages being conjugated andmeasured when carrying the same panel.

2. A press device according to claim 1, wherein said hanging bracket isprovided with a vertically movable secondary carriage facing said pressframe and resiliently supporting means for gripping one end of saidpanel, said supporting means comprising a resilient strip directedtowards said press frame and being adapted to pivot about asubstantially horizontal axis.

3. A press device according to claim 1, further characterized by a tablebelow each of said beams and coextensive therewith, and by at least oneupwardly extensible lifting member, attached to the end of one of saidtables, which is turned towards said press frame,

the upper part of said lifting member being povided with means forgripping one panel end, said latter means being adapted to be pivotedabout a substantially horizontal axis, and means for pivoting saidgripping means.

4. A press device according to claim 1, wherein each of said primarycarriages is fixed to the two ends of a chain looped over pinionslocated at the two ends of each of said beams, further comprising asingle motor for driving one of the chains directly and the other chainby means of a controlled dog-type clutch.

5. A press device according to claim 1, wherein said punch has avertical movement which is measurable with a precision substantiallyhigher than the measuring of the displacements of the punch carryingcarriage or the primary carriages.

6. A press device according to claim 1, further characterized by a tablebelow each of said beams and coextensive therewith, said table beingprovided with a plurality of spaced apart vertically retractable rollersand with panel checking gauges operative in the retracted position ofsaid rollers.

7. A press device as defined in claim l wherein said punch meansincludes a punch carrying carriage comprising a tool carrier adapted tomove around a median vertical axis of said tool carrying carriage andadapted to be locked in two positions orthogonal to one another andimmobolised in any intermediate position between said two end positions.

8. A press device as defined in claim I wherein a table is below each ofsaid beams and coextensive therewith and the panel is shaped by means ofcurved parallel rails borne both by said punch means and said presstable, the distance between at least one pair of said rails beingadjustable, said rails having a rectangular base and fitted andresiliently snapped into sectional members attached to said punch meansand said press table.

9. A press device as defined in claim 8 wherein said sectional membersof said press table are perpendicular to the plane of the said pressframe and are adapted to be displaceable individually, said punch meanshaving a carrying carriage the axis of which is automatically retainedin the centre of the gap between said sectional members.

10. A press device as defined in claim 9 wherein said sectional membersof said press table are disposed parallel with the plane of said framethereof and are adapted to be displaced simultaneously by the sameamount in opposite directions in relation to the plane of symmetry ofthe said frame.

11. A press device as defined in claim l0 wherein a mechanism fordisplacing the sectional members comprises two screws each having inopposite directions two equal screw threads of contrary pitch each ofsuch screw threads being adapted to co-operate with a nut comprising avertical articulating finger and the fingers corresponding to the samescrew being engaged in apertures, one circular aperture and one elongateaperture in two self-supporting plates disposed head to tail by twoscrews each comprising two screw threads in opposite directions, twopairs of nuts being provided to which a pair of said rail carryingsectional members are articulated.

1. A press device for stepwise curve shaping panels of elongateconstruction comprising a vertical substantially rectangular pressframe, punch means displaceable in said frame for acting locally on thepanel, two beams extending perpendicularly on one side and on the otherside of said press frame, respectively, at the level of the higher sideof said frame, each beam being provided with a primary carriagesupporting a rigid hanging bracket adapted to bear one of the opposedends of the panel, displacements of said primary carriages beingconjugated and measured when carrying the same panel.
 2. A preSs deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said hanging bracket is provided with avertically movable secondary carriage facing said press frame andresiliently supporting means for gripping one end of said panel, saidsupporting means comprising a resilient strip directed towards saidpress frame and being adapted to pivot about a substantially horizontalaxis.
 3. A press device according to claim 1, further characterized by atable below each of said beams and co-extensive therewith, and by atleast one upwardly extensible lifting member, attached to the end of oneof said tables, which is turned towards said press frame, the upper partof said lifting member being povided with means for gripping one panelend, said latter means being adapted to be pivoted about a substantiallyhorizontal axis, and means for pivoting said gripping means.
 4. A pressdevice according to claim 1, wherein each of said primary carriages isfixed to the two ends of a chain looped over pinions located at the twoends of each of said beams, further comprising a single motor fordriving one of the chains directly and the other chain by means of acontrolled dog-type clutch.
 5. A press device according to claim 1,wherein said punch has a vertical movement which is measurable with aprecision substantially higher than the measuring of the displacementsof the punch carrying carriage or the primary carriages.
 6. A pressdevice according to claim 1, further characterized by a table below eachof said beams and coextensive therewith, said table being provided witha plurality of spaced apart vertically retractable rollers and withpanel checking gauges operative in the retracted position of saidrollers.
 7. A press device as defined in claim 1 wherein said punchmeans includes a punch carrying carriage comprising a tool carrieradapted to move around a median vertical axis of said tool carryingcarriage and adapted to be locked in two positions orthogonal to oneanother and immobolised in any intermediate position between said twoend positions.
 8. A press device as defined in claim 1 wherein a tableis below each of said beams and coextensive therewith and the panel isshaped by means of curved parallel rails borne both by said punch meansand said press table, the distance between at least one pair of saidrails being adjustable, said rails having a rectangular base and fittedand resiliently snapped into sectional members attached to said punchmeans and said press table.
 9. A press device as defined in claim 8wherein said sectional members of said press table are perpendicular tothe plane of the said press frame and are adapted to be displaceableindividually, said punch means having a carrying carriage the axis ofwhich is automatically retained in the centre of the gap between saidsectional members.
 10. A press device as defined in claim 9 wherein saidsectional members of said press table are disposed parallel with theplane of said frame thereof and are adapted to be displacedsimultaneously by the same amount in opposite directions in relation tothe plane of symmetry of the said frame.
 11. A press device as definedin claim 10 wherein a mechanism for displacing the sectional memberscomprises two screws each having in opposite directions two equal screwthreads of contrary pitch each of such screw threads being adapted toco-operate with a nut comprising a vertical articulating finger and thefingers corresponding to the same screw being engaged in apertures, onecircular aperture and one elongate aperture in two self-supportingplates disposed head to tail by two screws each comprising two screwthreads in opposite directions, two pairs of nuts being provided towhich a pair of said rail carrying sectional members are articulated.